Scottish Comedy Highlights: January 2025

A new year signals brand new shows from a raft of brilliant acts. Alison Spittle is a high value woman (Monkey Barrel Edinburgh, 11 Jan, 6pm and 8pm, £10) in her latest work about inbuilt misogyny and the green M&M’s notoriety in her trademark affable style. Having won over audiences at Fringe 2023, Kathy Maniura returns with a new Drag King show as her alter ego London Cycling Man (Monkey Barrel, 15 Jan, 8pm, £7). With all the gear and no idea, join the finalist of Europe’s biggest drag king competition as she turns full Jeremy Vine. As for local acts, The Stand Glasgow plays host to the beginnings of new shows from Jay Lafferty and Liam Withnail in a double hander from two of Scotland’s most consummate club comics (30 Jan, 8.30pm, £12).

This month also sees some standout Fringe shows return to Scotland. One of August’s hottest tickets was Jin Hao Li’s Swimming in a Submarine (Monkey Barrel, 25 Jan, 8pm, £14). A truly refreshing debut offering, Li’s comedic voice is well worth sampling with his mix of off-the-wall punchlines and unique delivery style. Dan Tiernan’s here too with sophomore hour Stomp (Monkey Barrel, 1 Feb, 6pm, £12) featuring gout, Glasto and great punchlines. We reckon you might catch him at the following gig as well…

Finally, snatch up tickets to Adam Flood’s Late Night Comedy Rave (Monkey Barrel, 31 Jan, 10.45pm, £12). An underground hit at the Fringe, the gig sees original electronic tracks interspersed with top jokes and standup, all with the atmosphere of a Boiler Room set.